NATA: Private airlines should fly to India

By A Staff Reporter

At the time when tourism industry is facing severe problems due to cancellation of regular flights by Indian Airlines, Nepal Association for Travel Agents (NATA) has demanded   licences for more private sector airlines operator to fly in the international sector.

At a press conference held on Friday, NATA President Bhola Bikram Thapa, said that in the present situation the government should provide license to competent companies to solve the air-seat problem.

“The government’s open sky policy is laudable. But, we don’t see any point as to why the government should not issue licenses to other capable companies which are interested in operating flights,” he said.

As the government resorted to open sky policy few years back, many domestic airlines companies flourished in the country. Some of them were also offered licences to operate flights in the international sector as well. However, only Necon Air had started operation to India.

According to Air Seat Agreement (ASA) with India, Nepal can at most operate 6,000 air-seats per week. This number was divided between Necon Air, Alpine Air, Air Nepal International Airways and Royal Nepal Airlines Corporation (RNAC).

Of the 610 air-seats per week, Necon Air has been able to operate only 200 every week. Both Alpine Air (600 air-seat) and Air Nepal International Airways (880 air-seat) are still unable to operate the flights, a press release issued on the occasion said. These assigned seats are by no means adequate for both  these airlines.

According to NATA sources, out of 6,000 air-seats only about 3,600 seats are being used every week. Since the government was unable to provide them with other economically viable routes, the government has been renewing licences issued to those companies. 

“Airlines are very important for the development of Nepalese tourism industry. The government should encourage other capable private sector airlines to operate in the international sector rather than keeping on renewing those licences,” the press release said.

The NATA officials also highlighted on the importance of consolidation of RNAC. Though the RNAC is established as an autonomous body, the government has always influenced it’s important decisions, it said. NATA officials also estimated the loss of Rs. 25 million in the past 80 days due to cancellation of flights by the Indian Airlines.

Nepali runner wins world's highest race

By A Staff Reporter

On the occasion of the Jubilee of the ascent of the Annapurna by French climber Maurice Herzog, the first edition of Annapurna Mandala Trail jointly organised by Mandala Trekking (Nepal) and Himalaya Racers Association (France) was completed March 24. This stage of the race around the Annapurna covered 300 km in 9 days. The race is considered to be the highest in the world since it crosses the Thorong Pass at 5400 m having extreme weather conditions according to an AMT Race organizers.

One woman and three Nepali runners were among the 28 participants who started the race from Besishar on March 16; and 27 of them reached Birethanti on March 24.

Participants of the Annapurna Mandala Trail 2000.

The race was won by a Nepali runner, Nar Bahadur Shah clocking 27 hrs. 16 min. and 20 sec. ahead of the 2 French men, Pascal Beaury in 28 hrs. 47min. 41sec. and Stephane Grivel in 29 hrs. 56min. 47sec. The 4th went to another Nepali Babu Raja Shrestha in 30 hrs. 56 min. 47sec., and the 5th to the most famous French runner and the founder of this race Bruno Poirier in 32 hrs. 05 min. 07sec.

The winner, Nar Bahadur Shah belongs to the young generation of Nepali marathon runners.

The trophy was awarded on March 26 at the Hotel Yak & Yeti by the Local Development Minister Suresh Malla. Richard Launay, the General Manager of the hotel gave a special award to the winner of the contest.

Due to the success of the first edition of the race, the organisers have decided to hold this adventure race again in 2001.

Nepali outfit sponsors speed expedition

By A Staff Reporter

The first summitter to the Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha) Sir Edmund Hillary blessed Babu Chiri Sherpa March 27 at the office of Himalayan Trust for the success of his 16 hrs. Mt. Everest Speed Expedition - 2000.

On this occasion, Sir Hillary thanked the Gorkha Airlines and its adviser & chairman of the Expedition Management Committee Rajendra Bahadur Shrestha for sponsoring such a glorious and epoch making event and the domestic airlines company Gorkha Airlines in managing the entire show of this Speed Expedition according to a Expedition’s press release. All the previous expeditions of Babu Chiri were sponsored by non-Nepalese organisations.

Nine times Mt. Everest(Sagarmatha) submitter Babu Chiri Sherpa(L) with the First Summitter Sir Edmund Hillary.

Babu Chiri has not only climbed Mt. Everest (Sagarmatha) 9 times but also has appeared in Guinness Book of World Record for staying at the Everest Summit for arduous 21 hours without auxiliary oxygen. If Babu Chiri achieves the feat of reaching the summit within 16 hrs, he will have established a new world record. The current record holder is Kaji Sherpa who did it in 20 hrs 24 mins.

Sir Edmund Hillary also signed the expedition Banner and the flag which Babu Chiri is unfurling at the Summit and hoped that Babu Chiri will establish many more world records in the future. Sir Hillary has come to Nepal for a short visit and will be flying to Phaplu on March 29 for a visit of that area.

Babu Chiri is leaving for Lukla by Gorkha Airlines March 30, to start his acclimatization exercises at the various camps of the Everest. He has plans to start his expedition on the first week of May, 2000.